Today's Passage - Acts 25:13-22

Acts 25:13-22 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul's case with the king. He said: "There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned. "I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over any man before he has faced his accusers and has had an opportunity to defend himself against their charges. When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive... This passage in the Bible is dialogue between Festus and King Agrippa. Festus explained Paul's case to King Agrippa. He said that Paul preached a message about a dead man named Jesus, who Paul claimed was alive. The message preached by Paul at that time was not a message that was welcomed. Even Festus says here that Jesus is dead, yet Paul claimed Jesus is alive. Paul was indeed a bold witness for the Lord. He preached about the resurrection of the dead, which was a very unpopular thing. How could a dead man be resurrected? Praise God, Paul was not afraid of persecution, and kept preaching because this was the truth that God had revealed to Him. From a human's perspective, you and I could have forsaken the truth under such persecution. However, we see from the life of Paul the example of being a bold witness for God. I remember there was child who was required to submit an essay explaining the theory of evolution at school. However, he had learned about creationism in church, and he was struggling in his heart what to do. He eventually decided to write about creationism, and got an "F" for his essay. His parents did not know how to respond to this. Many parents may say, this child should just follow the teacher's instruction to write about the theory of evolution. But I give thanks for this child's courage. Unlike many of us who are even afraid of handing out a gospel tract and feel embarrassed about that, he stood up for what he believed it. Pray that the Lord will encourage us and help us to see the true condition of our heart. We need to pray for ourselves and our church, and ask God to raise up mighty warriors so that the Chinese church may be a bold and glorious witness for the Lord during these end times. Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, we pray you give each brother and sister courage that we will not be fearful or week, and we would rise up and stand strong for the truth. Just as Paul fought the good fight for you, may you empower us to do the same. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen! Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow the project on Facebook ! Help us to reach our Phase I Target, and witness how God expands His Kingdom on earth!  Click here to donate online.